Apex Clean Energy's Coldwater Solar project is moving closer to construction and eventual operations after receiving the necessary permit approvals from two local townships in recent weeks. On January 31, the project received approval for its special use permit for facilities located in Coldwater Township, which will have the capacity to generate up to 55 MW of solar energy. On February 13, the Ovid Township portion of the project was also approved, which has a generating capacity of approximately 95 MW. Together, the 150 MW project will generate enough homegrown Michigan clean energy to power about 27,000 homes annually.  Apex Clean Energy's Mulligan Solar project in Logan County, Illinois (Apex Clean Energy)   Continue reading

Apex Clean Energy has awarded its latest round of grants to Coldwater-area organizations as part of the Coldwater Solar Community Grant Program. The program, now in its third year, is one way that Apex Clean Energy can contribute to pressing community needs and make a meaningful impact at the local level. These funds are allocated to support programs that serve the residents and communities of the Coldwater area through economic development, environmental sustainability, education, and health and recreation. During this cycle, funds were distributed to Animal Aid of Branch County, the Coldwater Downtown Development Authority (DDA), and the Coldwater Community Center. Animal Aid of Branch County (AABC) is an all-volunteer non-profit foster based rescue in Coldwater dedicated to the well-being of the animal population in Branch County and beyond. The funds awarded to AABC will help cover veterinary services for animals coming into the program, often with illnesses that require immediate treatment. Cathy Schaupp, board member at AABC, said “We help homeless, abandoned, and injured dogs and cats, and we’re requested to help animals in our community on a daily basis. We are asked to take in animals with specific medical needs, such as respiratory ailments or a heartworm positive diagnosis, that must be treated on entering our program. All animals that come into our program receive any needed medical care, are spayed/neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated. Donations and grants like the one from Coldwater Solar help us to accept additional animals in need and move closer to our goal of reducing animal homelessness in Branch County.” The Coldwater Community Center received unanimous approval from the mayor and city council to begin restoring the historic Putnam Funeral Home building as a new community center. Chairperson Kathleen Bappert said the grant award will go towards installing two ADA-compliant bathrooms and small catering kitchen to make it suitable for cooking and baking demonstrations. “Our community in and around Coldwater has a unique small-town feel of generosity and hospitality and yet uniquely diverse. Our mission is to create a center for multicultural celebration and preservation of our unique and shared history, with educational and fun social opportunities that bring people together. This grant will help us offer more activities and make the Community Center accessible to all,” said Bappert. The Coldwater DDA is undertaking a renovation on the historic Taylor’s Building to allow the Children’s Museum to relocate into a larger space with more activities, STEAM programming, and new exhibits and programs. According to Main Street Director and Community Development Coordinator Audrey Tappenden, “Coldwater Solar’s donation is helping to build a bigger, brighter children’s museum in Branch County. The organization joins a community of supporters who are making the transformation at 60 W. Chicago Street possible.” With this latest round of grantees, the program has awarded more than $25,000 to date. Past recipients include the Branch District Library, Coldwater Township Sunrise Rotary, the Branch Area Rescue Coalition, Coldwater Family Promise, and the Coldwater High School Interact Club, to name a few. Apex awards local grants through its Community Grant Program on a regular basis during the development, construction, and operation of local renewable energy projects. If you are interested in applying for future rounds of funding, please visit www.coldwatersolar.com/grant.

Coldwater Solar Now Accepting Applications for Fall 2022 Community Grant Program COLDWATER, MI – The Coldwater Solar Community Grant Program is now accepting applications from local groups and organizations for the Fall 2022 grant cycle. To date more than $20,000 has been awarded to local organizations working to build healthy communities, increase environmental sustainability, foster economic development, and promote education in the Greater Coldwater community. Continue reading

June 7, 2022 - Coldwater, MI – Apex Clean Energy is pleased to announce five local non-profit organizations as grant recipients from the Spring 2022 cycle of the Coldwater Solar Community Grant Program. Since it’s launch, the community grant program has awarded 19 grants to local organizations focused on improving their community in the follow areas: Building Healthy Communities, Economic Development, Environmental Sustainability, and Promoting Education. Continue reading

COLDWATER, MI – The Coldwater Solar Community Grant Program is now accepting applications from local groups and organizations for the program’s Spring 2022 grant cycle. This program has so far provided more than $15,000 to local organizations working to build healthy communities, increase environmental sustainability, foster economic development, and promote education in the Greater Coldwater community. Continue reading

February 2, 2022 - Coldwater, MI – Apex Clean Energy is pleased to announce four local non-profit organizations as the recipients of the third round of Coldwater Solar Community Grants. Since it was launched last year, the program has awarded 15 grants to local individuals and organizations focused on improving their community in the follow areas: Building Healthy Communities, Economic Development, Environmental Sustainability, and Promoting Education. Continue reading

COLDWATER, MI – The Coldwater Solar Community Grant Program is now accepting applications from local groups and organizations for the program’s Winter 2021 grant cycle. Launched earlier this year, the program has provided more than $10,000 so far to local organizations working to build healthy communities, increase environmental sustainability, foster economic development, and promote education in the Greater Coldwater community. Continue reading

September 21, 2021 - Coldwater, MI – Apex Clean Energy and esaSolar are pleased to announce five Coldwater-area programs and organizations as the recipients of the second round of Coldwater Solar Community Grants. The program was launched at the beginning of this year to support community organizations making an impact in the following areas: Building Healthy Communities, Economic Development, Environmental Sustainability, and Promoting Education. Continue reading